Just bought diamond, comments?

[gman246]

Hey everyone-I have some specs and questions below for a diamond I just bought (21.5% off Rapp of $6500 for E-SI1)

Sarin Report (0''s/1''s in last column are AGS grades)
------------
Cut: Round brilliant
Carat: 1.14
Diameter: 6.66mm (6.63-6.70mm)
Depth: 62.2% (4.14mm)
Crown: 35.6 degrees; 14.4% 0
Pavil: 40.9 degrees; 43.1% 0
Table: 59.5% (3.96mm) 1
Culet: .5% (Very Small) 0
Girdle: 2.3% 1.5% Medium 0 2.7% Sl. Thick 0 0


GIA (same diamond)-11/12/02
-----------------
Laser inscribed
Shape/Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.64-6.70 x 4.10mm
Weight: 1.14 carat
Depth: 61.5%
Table: 60%
Girdle: Med. to Slightly Thick, Faceted
Culet: None
Polish: Very Gd
Symmetry: Very Gd
Clarity: SI-1
Color: E
Fluorescence: None

It''s an EXCELLENT SI-1 (borderline VS-2). Loupe shows a tiny crystal on the edge & tiny feather near the edge. Table is clear. Could barely see the crystal w/o loupe.

HCA=4.2 (''Good'' in all; ''Very Good'' spread)

Questions:
-Crown angle is 35.6 (> 34.5)...this a big deal?
-HCA interpretations?
-I''m getting a custom made setting- Platinum, ~.25-.3 baguettes total (straight), (1 on each side), 4 prong basket, ~2-2.5mm thick band. He said it''ll cost ~$1100. Sound good?

THANKS for any opinions/comments!

 

[Mara]

Hmmmmm.

Crown angle is a little steep as you noted yourself already.

The HCA scoring is a bit of a red flag in my opinion. 4.2 is on a scale of 1-10. Most people aim for scores under 2.0 or at the very least, under 3.0. I wouldn't purchase something in the 3-10 ranges...IMO.

The stone also has a *slightly* smaller diameter than a well cut 1.15c. It should be more around 6.80mm diameter. The stone you bought should look more like a 1.08c than a 1.14c. Small difference--but that is also how you tell how well cut the stone is.

The stone pricing sounds a little steep...esp for the cut grade and also the SI1 designation--I found a 1.15 E SI1 H&A online through Pricescope for pricing comparison and it was $5700. Though a more healthy range may be up to $6k *depending on cut*. If this is an offline purchase, it could explain the jump in pricing a bit...as offline B&M tends to have a slightly higher markup.

The setting pricing sounds good though.

My two cents...

 

[Giangi]

Ditto on Mara... Great minds think alike!

Are you happy with the stone?? That's all that matters!

 

[gman246]

Thanks! The exact price was $5814. I went to about 5 retailer's and 2 wholesalers. This was the best SI-1 (clarity-wise) I saw out of all of them. My eye is good on clarity & color & size, but I really don't have much of a clue on 'brilliance' or 'sparkle' or whatever name you call it. That's why I defer to the numbers on those specs... They all seem to sparkle about the same to me, in dim light or in bright light.

Can you folks really tell a diff. between, let's say, an 'almost' ideal vs-2 and a towkowsky ideal vs-2? Does it really just knock you off the chair?

I'm happy w/ the price give or take 2-3%. I don't mind the extra few dollars given the way I liked the dealer and my trust in him and his ability to get me a nice custom-made setting, etc... He also preferred not dealing in cash-only because he felt it was less safe for me for insurance purposes. Next comes the engagement, the fun part when all this debating on the purchase will finally come to an end .

Thanks again!

 

[trichrome]

For insurance purpose you don't need a sale receipt..

You only need a recent appraisal..that's it....


Trichrome.

 

[69gm]

i have to agree with mara too. besides it's usually a mistake not to.

and giangi has a good point...the main thing is that you're happy with the purchase.

 

[clementine]

Yes, my ideal cut (1.3 on HCA) DOES knock your socks off! I have an F SI1 1.64, and it is almost blinding in the sunlight - absolutely breathtaking!